SECOND LEG
AS Monaco FC produced one of the biggest upsets
of the season by recovering from a 4-2 first-leg deficit
to defeat Real Madrid CF 3-1 and earn a place in the semi-finals
of the UEFA Champions League on the away goals rule.
Giuly double
A first-half goal from Raúl González had further
increased the visitors' overall advantage but two strikes
from Ludovic Giuly either side of a goal from Madrid's on-loan
striker Fernando Morientes left the Spanish giants stunned.
Midfield movement
Monaco had been forced to reshuffle in midfield with Lucas
Bernardi and Akis Zikos both missing, so Czech international
Jaroslav Plašil moved into the centre to partner Edouard
Cissé while Dado Pršo returned alongside Morientes
in attack. Madrid, meanwhile, were missing the suspended
David Beckham, meaning Borja Fernández joined Guti
in midfield.
Zidane chip
Patrice Evra and Giuly both had speculative shots blocked
early on but Monaco nearly fell behind on 16 minutes. Cissé's
square pass was intercepted by Zinedine Zidane and the Frenchman
had time to steady himself before producing an exquisite
chip that was clawed away by Flavio Roma.
Casillas called upon
Following the scare, the home side's passing became more
precise and they threatened to go ahead on 25 minutes when
Jérôme Rothen's left-wing cross picked out
Giuly, but he miscued a left-foot volley wide. The opening
gave Monaco belief and Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was
called into action three minutes later, pushing away Morientes'
powerful free-kick that looked destined for the top corner.
Composed finish
Madrid struck first in the 36th minute. There appeared to
be little danger when Zidane sauntered forward on the left,
but his low pass split the Monaco defence and Raúl
stroked the ball into the top corner with his left foot
from just inside the area.
Giuly goal
The capacity crowd was stunned into silence, but they were
roaring again in first-half stoppage time as Monaco drew
level. A high ball into the box was headed down by Morientes
and Giuly struck a superb volley into the bottom corner
from 20 metres.
Morientes header
Buoyed by the goal, Monaco came out firing after the break.
Casillas had already made a sharp save at his near post
from Giuly when Morientes gave Monaco the lead on 48 minutes.
The Spanish striker scored his second of the tie by arcing
an accurate header into the top corner after Patrice Evra's
raking ball from the left, leaving Monaco just one goal
away from a place in the last four.
Monaco momentum
Roma saved Luís Figo's free-kick at full stretch
in the 57th minute but most of the action was at the other
end as Monaco poured forward. Hugo Ibarra's searching cross
picked out Morientes at the far post but this time the striker's
finish was lacking.
Flicked finish
Nevertheless, Monaco got the goal their pressure had threatened
midway through the second half when Ibarra caused more problems
on the right, this time cutting inside and his cross-shot
was cleverly flicked in by Giuly.
Givet denied
The nine-times European champions now needed to score to
avoid elimination but Monaco continued to look the more
threatening on the break, and Gaël Givet’s header
from Rothen’s 81st-minute corner bounced back off
the post.
Raúl despair
Deep into added time, Raúl - who earlier had a header
ruled out for offside - had a golden chance to rescue Madrid
as he met a cross at the far post, but at full stretch he
directed his effort over the bar, and the French side had
a famous win and a semi-final meeting with Chelsea FC.
